Week 11 – Professional

As part of our effective classroom management and assessment practices class we had to produce our own classroom management plan this week. I had to include my philosophy of classroom management and discipline. This enabled me to expand my knowledge on an area that could possibly determine my success as a teacher.

Children need to feel respected and once there is respect established then the children will respect me as their teacher and in turn my authority. Classroom management in my opinion involves the rules, routines, procedures and structures of a classroom and these should be majority the teacher’s responsibility. However in contrast, discipline is to do with self-management and self-control. Discipline is the student’s responsibility. I agree with Spencer Kegan’s belief that discipline is something that you help the students to acquire in order to help them behave more responsibly. Discipline is not something you do to students but rather what they obtain.

Classroom management and discipline is very important in as it provides the foundation for the success of both students and teachers. It helps to foster a friendly and respectable relationship between all members of the class. I do not believe that all students come to school knowing how to act responsibly and therefore need to be shown and taught from day one. Discipline is important in securing the children’s cooperation in learning and exercising self-control. One of my main goals as an educator regarding discipline is to teach my students to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner not only when I am in the classroom but also when they are left unsupervised. When they master this they will have acquired an inner sense of responsibility and self-control. ‘Self-control enables students to take positive charge of their lives while respecting the rights of those around them.’ (Charles, 2011)

Procedures are part of classroom life and exist so that children know how to show acceptable and responsible behaviour ensuring respect for themselves, their property and others. A misbehaviour procedure that I would be keen to include in my classroom is that of restitution, resolution and reconciliation.

* Restitution – do what is necessary to repair damage that was done.

* Resolution – identify and correct whatever caused the misbehaviour so that it won’t happen again.

* Reconciliation – establishing healing relationships with people who were hurt or offended by the misbehaviour (Apologise and promise to work hard to not repeat the misbehaviour in the future). (Charles, 2011)

The information gained from my observations has helped me to establish a classroom management and discipline plan that ensures my students will feel safe and welcomed when entering my classroom. They will understand the importance of conducting appropriate behaviour through rehearsing and reinforcing of the rules and procedures helping the class to cooperate together and run smoothly. I hope to

Continually uphold a professional image at all times. I am to continue to grow professionally through increasing experiences at conducting a planned discipline approach.

References

Charles, C. M. (2011). Building Classroom Discipline. Boston: Pearson Education Inc.